“Being a woman didn’t hold me back – being confident and professional propelled me forward”: The women designing the modern Dubai on being at the forefront of change

Rarely will a week go by when Dubai and the wider UAE are not heralded internationally for their innovation in design and architecture.

From sublime homes, restaurants, bars and hotels to architectural developments that elevate the country to even higher record-breaking feats than the week before, the last decade has helped establish the Emirates’ position as a global hub of sensational design.

Behind the scenes, that has been driven by the creative nous of some of the most inspired and hard-working teams of interior designers and architects found anywhere – whether that be New York, London, Milan, Tokyo, or – nowadays – Dubai.

As the world celebrates International Women’s Day, we speak with three of the women who have and continue to lead the way in cementing the UAE’s global design status. The skills and knowledge of the trio – Carla Conte, Sneha Divias and Ellen Søhoel – spread across interior design and architecture, and are responsible for many of the region’s premiere residential, commercial, retail, education and hospitality spaces, and for their work they’ve each earned a host of internationally-renowned awards.

They will each be speaking at the OFIS-sponsored Design Talks at INDEX. Ahead of that, they explained how they feel the work of female designers is changing Dubai, and how the exceptional work of their peers has eliminated any talk of a glass ceiling for women.